Groups seek county aid for development projects

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 07:26 PM.

“We are here to ask for help to get this project finished,” Scruggs said. “We are asking your consideration to allow finance through the county so we can open in six months.”

DCC requested to borrow approximately $1,300,000 from the county. That money will be paid back through secured pledges, Scruggs said.

"Renovations are complete and we could open the Earl Scruggs Center in six months," said DCC’s Brownie Plaster.

DCC previously received a $60,000 Duke Energy Grant that went toward education. The organization also received a $1.5 million Economic Development Administration Grant, requiring the Scruggs Center to open by April 2013.

Destination Cleveland County is requesting county assistance in order to set an opening date for the grant.

Commissioners Chairman Ronnie Hawkins expressed concern that April is four months away, rather than the six-month target set by DCC.

“If you aren't opened by April 2013, who is liable to pay the Duke Grant?” Hawkins asked.

Commissioners will vote on financial assistance for each group at next Tuesday's commissioners meeting.

DestinationCleveland County

In 2008, Destination Cleveland County set a goal to raise $6 million for the Earl Scruggs Center, a regional history museum named in honor of the famed musician and native of Shelby.

To date, $5.8 million has been raised, including $940,000 in 2012, said J.T. Scruggs, Earl's nephew and member of DCC.

“We are here to ask for help to get this project finished,” Scruggs said. “We are asking your consideration to allow finance through the county so we can open in six months.”

DCC requested to borrow approximately $1,300,000 from the county. That money will be paid back through secured pledges, Scruggs said.

"Renovations are complete and we could open the Earl Scruggs Center in six months," said DCC’s Brownie Plaster.

DCC previously received a $60,000 Duke Energy Grant that went toward education. The organization also received a $1.5 million Economic Development Administration Grant, requiring the Scruggs Center to open by April 2013.

Destination Cleveland County is requesting county assistance in order to set an opening date for the grant.

Commissioners Chairman Ronnie Hawkins expressed concern that April is four months away, rather than the six-month target set by DCC.

“If you aren't opened by April 2013, who is liable to pay the Duke Grant?” Hawkins asked.

Scruggs said the county signed the grant for the building and DCC signed for the organization.

DCC has set several opening dates in recent years but has pushed back the center's opening.

Pinnacle Classical Academy

Pinnacle representatives presented further plans to commissioners Tuesday, after announcing in a Friday press release that the planned charter school hopes to open at the former Hallelujah Acres site.

State Sen. Wes Westmoreland (R), who represents Cleveland County in the 46th N.C. district and is also working to get the new charter school opened, requested $325,000 from the county.

The current liability for the county on the property is $350,000 -- $150,000 from a N.C. Rural Center Grant and $200,000 from a USDA federal grant, Westmoreland said.

On Tuesday, Pinnacle requested a $125,000 one-time payment from the county to acquire the property, and then $67,000 each year for three years to satisfy the USDA grant.

Westmoreland told commissioners the charter school would further fulfill the Rural Center grant by creating 15 full-time jobs in 2013.

The school hopes to open in the current Hallelujah Acres building and expand on the property, creating a kindergarten through 12th grade school and separating the grades by buildings.

The area surrounding Hallelujah Acres is expected to expand with the building of the school, real estate agent Mike Philbeck told county leaders.

Patrick Senior Center

With the “Baby Boomer” generation getting older, the Patrick Senior Center expects to see an increase in visitors in the next 20 years, said Carl Elliott, a senior center representative.

The senior center is looking to expand by 6,000 square feet. Areas expanded in the center would include an exercise room, computer lab, craft room and game room.

New areas in the senior center would include a multi-purpose room, Medicare and tax counseling office, nutrition office, senior lockers and storage.

The senior center is requesting $300,000 from the county over three to four years, Elliott said.

Which organizations requested help?

Commissioners will vote Tuesday on funding for each group's request.

Destination Cleveland County

What did they request?

To borrow approximately $1,300,000 from county funds. DCC plans to pay the money back through secured pledge donations toward the center.

What do they want to use it for?

To complete the renovation of the old uptown Shelby courthouse into the Earl Scruggs Center: Music & Stories from the American South.

Pinnacle Classical Academy

What did they request?

$325,000 from the county -- a $125,000 one-time payment in December and $67,000 each year for three years

What do they want to use it for?

To acquire the former Hallelujah Acres property on South Post Road to open the school in fall 2013, with plans to expand on the property in the coming years.

Patrick Senior Center

What did they request?

$300,000 from the county over three to four years

What do they want to use it for?

Expanding the center by 6,000 square feet to meet expected growth in senior population and needs.

Reach Jessica Pickens at 704-669-3332 or jpickens@shelbystar.com. Follow on Twitter at @StarJPickens.